Mohave County miner., 1887-07-30
ln . Mica Nine.


One OF the finest mica (sourstimes
wrongly called isinglass) mines In this
country is lo:atcd on Fletcher mountain,
In the little township OF Grottn. N. H.,
aboat two miles from Rnmnev depot, on
the line OF the Boston, Lowell and Mon
,real railroad.
A cool, bracing breeze stirred the bud.
ding naples as we, rested from our early
climb, again set forth to reach this indus.
trial Mecca, Halfway up the steep in
cline We found the airy home of the
teamstar, a jolly Frenchman, psrcisei OIL
broad mossy boulder, with i.s cellar
open /, the day. Bat this humble dou,I-
ciie commanded an unriyalcd view Of
Franeonia's misty ranges. Nearer by
could be seen the white crown Of Moosi.
lanka, the Black and the Waterville
mountains, and, seemingly ut our feet,
Loon lake, perfect gem, reminding
those VINO have been abroad Of the loehs
for which S,otIanl Is famous. Still our
aspirations lei skyward and soon we
have reached the scene that has pleased
20 many with irs novelty. A speedy in
troductioa 70 the overeeex failo'sea.. and
then we were shown an animated sight.
Looking down two pits, each solne thirty
Ave feet deep, their sides bright with lay
ers OF almost plre mica, embedded be-
tween rocks OF fcldspar and quarts, We
saw the companies OF toilers. Some, on
temporary stayings Of rough boards. half
xay up the pit, were welding six pound
hammers, striking in regular snccession
the naros-headeJ and glissening drills.
held by their mates, and sinking deep
but ma row cavities for the reception Of
the blast; some were grouped with pick
md shoveI in the openings below, some
were pumping water that had tricklcd
from above, and here and there were par.
ties pushing The ioaisi cars to the dump,
and all we're hardy, bronzed-looking, yet
intelligent help.
The mica lies in veins, averaging from
one foot 10 five feet In thickness, and is
often blown out in blocks or pieces weigh.
ing from twenty 10 forsy pounds. This
il broken into suitable shape for carriage
In large baskets, AMI, after being partial.
ly cleaned, Is borne 10 the cutting ahop
This Is long, coinmodious building,
with wide, stationary bench rssnAsaa
the length Of both sides, having shelves
above. Some Eve feet apart are placed
steel shears having foot and hall
b!adc and long handle fixed to each,
bench. and manned by ~ many strong
armed, busy workmen, Of whom fifteen
are here employed On the shelves be-
'ore each cutter are ranged the hardwood
catterns by which the mica Is cnt into
various sizes. The proper pattern, with
the mica beneath, is held in oee hand.
while with the other each man rapidly
plies the sharp shears. The days work
10 piled up oeiore them in square com.
partments, and put into pound packages,
ranging 10 sire from 2x3l inct'es to sx
10 inches, II IL used mostly in stoves
and ranges, but It is also cut for doors
and electric lights. ..- ..,' ..I.' >..r..-
At ore end of this building sat two men
spiittinv Tire layers OF mica brought from
the mine, with Instruments resembling
oyster knives. Failing into conversation
with them, we learned that they daily
and specimens resembling animals, .,ateu-
ellis, etc, and were shown pieces that
closely coanterfcited the form Of tele-
plants, rabbits, mules, etc. One OF the
employees in the finishing shop showed
~ q mica woman. wearing seventeenth
century bonnet. and another had q speci-
men tha: had appropriately been named
1.-The old man OF the mountain" We also
saw some curious pieces which, by con-
tact with iron-rust, had impressions
closeIy resembling leaves, moses and
ferns salmon-colored mica from Canada.
and some very beautiful iridescent speci.
mems from North Carolina. '... .s.
In the compsny's Office, on the Brook
road, we were shown huge sheet Of
mica two ieet long and one and one.haIf
wide, almost az clear ~ crystal, and a
six-sde prism Of nearly pure beryl, weigh
ing nearly ninety pounds, both Of which
were found in the Valencia two years
ago. II is singular fact that platinum,
one of the hardest ores known, will melt
in vessel made Of mica. Heat does not
affect this singular product, but water in